C’mon Hollywood #163

… give ‘em hell Oliver Stone!
by Sturdy

There’s a famous quote attributed to Harry S. Truman when he was giving a speech and someone shouted from the crowd “give ‘em hell Harry!” He responded by saying “I don’t give them hell, I give them the truth and they think it’s hell”. I’ve always loved that quote and I think it’s appropriate for Oliver Stone and his upcoming film W. We all know he’s going to take some serious crap for it, regardless of how good the film turns out to be. What I want is for him to take the gloves off and come out swinging, but still keep it factual. As much as I don’t want him to make a fictitious film full of heresy, I also don’t want him to make a sugar-coated movie because he’s scared about the public reaction.

They definitely look the part.

This might seem strange coming from me. A few years ago I wrote an article asking Hollywood to be careful with 9/11
. They were moderately sensitive to the subject and I’m still thankful for that, but we’re not talking about 9/11, we’re talking about the future, former President of the USA. Like him or hate him, he’s been involved in some major events in US history and the only thing left is to make a movie about his Presidency.

I hope he does his homework.

I got completely sick of Hollywood trying to butt into the political situation four years ago. It obviously didn’t help Kerry too much and I sometimes think that the public actually begins to look down on a candidate that has the support of famous celebrities. Celebrities have a reputation for being immoral partiers and drug addicts (not always justified) and that’s not exactly who you want giving you political advice. It’s like taking stock tips from the homeless guy outside the gas station. It might be good advice, but you have to look at your source.

I’m pretty sure this film wasn’t completely accurate…

But now Oliver Stone (who has had his own legal trouble) has decided to make a movie about Mr. Bush. I think he has an opportunity to educate a lot of people on the actions of the 43rd President of the United States. However, Stone doesn’t have a history of recreating American history to exact detail. That’s where I get nervous. If Stone adds in his own commentary and changes the facts and history, then this film will be a joke and another weapon right wing conservatives use against liberals. It’s important that he make it as accurate as possible. He needs to look at it as if he’s writing a research paper for a very strict professor. We need references and citations for every scene. He needs to be able to throw the book at the critics. The truth will hurt more than fiction.

Still my favorite Oliver Stone film.

I would have preferred for someone like Milos Forman or another director with a proven history of accurately portraying history to take this type of project on, but Stone definitely has the kohonies for it. I loved JFK, even if the facts are still up in the air. I’m just afraid that W will be attacked in the same manner and that will ruin the film, and the story’s credibility. Hollywood will never change a person’s political views, and they shouldn’t try. What Hollywood can do is make a fact based movie that might open up the eyes of people that wouldn’t otherwise be privy to the information.